Aligned by Hurren & Hope | Deferred-fee tech & GTM hiring for VC portfolios

What we hire

The roles that move the needle

Specialist coverage across the functions early-stage tech companies actually hire for.

AI / ML & Engineering

The hardest talent to find. We are already talking to them.

Product

PMs, design and technical product leaders for SaaS and AI.

Data & Analytics

Data scientists, ML engineers, analysts and quants.

Go-to-Market

SDR, AE, BD and Sales Directors to build your revenue engine.

Cybersecurity

Engineers, SOC analysts and CISOs.

Leadership & C-Suite

CTO, CFO, COO and co-founder searches.

Data & Infrastructure

From DBAs to data architects and platform engineers.

Contract & Global

Contractors on our payroll or yours, plus EOR hiring in 140+ countries.

Benefits

The downside is removed by design

The hiring downside, removed by design — help your founders build their team without risking their runway.

Skin in the game

We defer the bulk of our fee to your raise. Our economics depend on your success.

Skin in the game

We defer the bulk of our fee to your raise. Our economics depend on your success.

Built for startup speed

23-day average time to hire, with specialist teams per function.

Built for startup speed

23-day average time to hire, with specialist teams per function.

94% still there at a year

We hire for fit. Free replacement within 90 days.

94% still there at a year

We hire for fit. Free replacement within 90 days.

Global reach

Contacts in 140+ countries and EOR partners.

Global reach

Contacts in 140+ countries and EOR partners.

Specialists, not generalists

People who understand their stack and their stage. No CV spam.

Specialists, not generalists

People who understand their stack and their stage. No CV spam.

Runway preserved

Clients extend runway by 2-4 months by deferring fees.

Runway preserved

Clients extend runway by 2-4 months by deferring fees.

6,906+

Placements made

23 days

Average time to hire

94%

Retention at one year

Pricing

One fee. Your Crunchbase-powered Aligned score decides how much waits for your raise.

The deal your founders get

Breakout

Defer 75%

Score 70-100

Pay 25% on hire, 75% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

Breakout

Defer 75%

Score 70-100

Pay 25% on hire, 75% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

Building

Defer 60%

Score 40-69

Pay 40% on hire, 60% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

Building

Defer 60%

Score 40-69

Pay 40% on hire, 60% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

Early

Defer 45%

Score 20-39

Pay 55% on hire, 45% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

Early

Defer 45%

Score 20-39

Pay 55% on hire, 45% on your next round

Find out your score

No win, no deferred fee due.

What’s Included

Single 20%-of-salary fee

Free 90-day replacement

Monthly Crunchbase score refresh

Dedicated specialist team

Deferred to your funding event

All Plans Include

Free 90-day replacement
EOR & global hiring
Dedicated specialist team
Monthly Crunchbase score refresh
No win, no deferred fee

The model

Recruitment, priced like insurance.

The stronger your Crunchbase-powered Aligned score, the lower your risk — so the more of your fee you can defer. The score is a 47-point algorithm powered by Crunchbase data from a recognised, independent source, refreshed monthly.

100%

Up to 75% of fee deferred

10X

2-4 months of runway extended

Book a call

How introductions work

You introduce us — Point us at a portfolio company that is hiring. A warm intro from you is all it takes.

We place the talent, fee deferred — We source senior tech and GTM hires and defer up to 75% of our fee until the company next raises.

Your founder hires, runway intact — They get the people they need now without burning cash — and you have added real value at zero cost to the fund.

Partners

Why partners introduce us

A warm intro that helps your founders and costs the fund nothing.

Zero cost to the fund

We are paid by the company on a successful hire, never by you. No retainer, no fee, no budget line.

Zero cost to the fund

We are paid by the company on a successful hire, never by you. No retainer, no fee, no budget line.

Zero cost to the fund

We are paid by the company on a successful hire, never by you. No retainer, no fee, no budget line.

No exclusivity

Introduce us alongside anyone. Your founders are never tied in, and neither are you.

No exclusivity

Introduce us alongside anyone. Your founders are never tied in, and neither are you.

You keep the relationship

We work for your founder and stay out of your relationship - we only loop you in if you ask.

You keep the relationship

We work for your founder and stay out of your relationship - we only loop you in if you ask.

You keep the relationship

We work for your founder and stay out of your relationship - we only loop you in if you ask.

Runway protected

Deferring up to 75% of the fee keeps cash in the company - a healthier portfolio and a stronger next round.

Runway protected

Deferring up to 75% of the fee keeps cash in the company - a healthier portfolio and a stronger next round.

Runway protected

Deferring up to 75% of the fee keeps cash in the company - a healthier portfolio and a stronger next round.

You look good

A high-value introduction your founders thank you for.

You look good

A high-value introduction your founders thank you for.

You look good

A high-value introduction your founders thank you for.

Our founder

40+ years of combined tech recruitment expertise

Mark Hurren

Founder

Mark Hurren

Founder

Michael Johnson

Recruitment Partner

Michael Johnson

Recruitment Partner

Global Presence

Hire anywhere, compliantly

Contacts in 140+ countries with EOR partners to build remote teams or hubs. Markets: New York, San Francisco & London. Delivery hubs: London, Manila & Cape Town.

140+

Countries covered

3

Global hubs

13

Years operating

Testimonials

What our clients say

They really care - about the company they're helping and the candidate, and getting it right for both. Simply put, the benchmark for how recruiters should act. I've gone back to them for over 15 years, across multiple industries.
Adam Bell
People & Culture Director, Beyond One
AB
A preferred supplier for Penguin Random House, the team gave excellent, personable service through a challenging, complex integration. They go the extra mile, with a high degree of integrity.
Stephen Hardwick
Systems Specialist, Penguin Random House
SH
If you want a true partner in executive hiring - one who prioritises long-term success over quick placements - I highly recommend Hurren & Hope. Aligning top-tier candidates on skills and culture made it seamless.
Sarah Lloyd
Talent Acquisition Manager, Saffron Building Society
SL
Hurren & Hope bring an integrity and honesty to recruitment that's so important when bringing talent into an organisation. They impressed not just me but my whole team with their commitment to quality - I recommend them wholeheartedly.
David Callow
Chief Information Officer, NHS Professionals
DC

They really care - about the company they're helping and the candidate, and getting it right for both. Simply put, the benchmark for how recruiters should act. I've gone back to them for over 15 years, across multiple industries.

Adam Bell

People & Culture Director, Beyond One

A preferred supplier for Penguin Random House, the team gave excellent, personable service through a challenging, complex integration. They go the extra mile, with a high degree of integrity.

Stephen Hardwick

Systems Specialist, Penguin Random House

If you want a true partner in executive hiring - one who prioritises long-term success over quick placements - I highly recommend Hurren & Hope. Aligning top-tier candidates on skills and culture made it seamless.

Sarah Lloyd

Talent Acquisition Manager, Saffron Building Society

Hurren & Hope bring an integrity and honesty to recruitment that's so important when bringing talent into an organisation. They impressed not just me but my whole team with their commitment to quality - I recommend them wholeheartedly.

David Callow

Chief Information Officer, NHS Professionals

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cost the fund anything?

Is there any exclusivity or lock-in?

Will you protect my relationship with the founder?

What is Aligned?

What happens if we dont raise?

What is the actual fee?

Is this debt, or regulated?

How is the score calculated?

Do you understand startup hiring speed?

What if someone leaves before we raise?

How is this different from a recruiter with a payment plan?

Which roles do you cover?

Which markets do you cover?

Does this cost the fund anything?

Is there any exclusivity or lock-in?

Will you protect my relationship with the founder?

What is Aligned?

What happens if we dont raise?

What is the actual fee?

Is this debt, or regulated?

How is the score calculated?

Do you understand startup hiring speed?

What if someone leaves before we raise?

How is this different from a recruiter with a payment plan?

Which roles do you cover?

Which markets do you cover?

Partner introduction

Introduce a portfolio company

Point us at a founder who is hiring and we will take it from there - a senior shortlist in about 23 days, with up to 75% of our fee deferred to their next raise. No cost to you, no exclusivity, no obligation to the fund.

Zero cost to the fund

No exclusivity

Same-day reply

6,906+

Placements

23

Days to hire

94%

Retention

40+

years experience

Who we are

Hurren & Hope Holdings Ltd, registered in England & Wales (Company No. 09613334). Privacy queries: partners@hurrenandhope.vc. Registered office: 5th Floor, City Reach, 5 Greenwich View Place, London E14 9NN. ICO registration: ZB095116.